House Construction

View of a “modern” Turkish house located near the eastern foot of Nemrut Dagi.

Note the stone construction and the layers of tree branches between two courses of stone—probably to add stability to the house in this earthquake prone area.  The Solomonic palace was constructed of three courses of stone separated by a course of timber (see 1 Kings 8:12). Compare the construction of the altar at Tel Dan.

In addition, note the roof that is made of timbers that are covered by layers of mud and plaster.

Once the core of the house is completed, the outer walls will be covered with plaster—concealing the stone and wood construction.